Fraser Smith is the winner of the first term, after receiving the most votes from students! He wins £500 to spend on more science engagement activities.

Here’s what he had to say about his victory:

Thank you very much – I am totally chuffed to have won the prize for the first term in 2024. I have really enjoyed chatting with the pupils from across various year groups and their teachers from throughout the UK. The questions they asked were on the mark and ranged broadly from the history of AI to the current frontiers (for instance, the possibility of emotion or consciousness in AI systems).

I hope our answers gave students a good take on what researchers using or developing AI think of the major issues at present and perhaps even more importantly, provided a window into what it might be like to have a career in science, whether that be in a university or in industry (and to how many cups of coffee might be drunk each day by scientists….)

The experience has also helped me consider my research and AI afresh from different perspectives – which is always a good thing to do. Overall, it has been a very worthwhile experience!

Thanks also to the other researchers who were answering questions as well – it was intriguing for me to see the range of researchers / AI users involved (from industry to university, from PhD students to retired university professors) and hear something about their own specialities. I also like to say a big thanks to the I’m a Scientist team who ensured that the Chats ran smoothly each time and set a very welcoming tone!

I’m planning to use the prize money to develop a science outreach activity where we can (hopefully) bring local school students to see our science technologies up close in action.

Thanks again,

Fraser Smith